Golf putting game

ABSTRACT

A golf putting game using a mat is shown and described. The mat is visually demarcated into a center penalty zone, two surrounding penalty zones, and two outermost reward zones, with a simulated hole in the center penalty zone. In a first phase of play, players attempt to propel golf balls across nearly the entire mat, from one outermost reward zone towards an opposed reward zone. Success elicits point awards. After a predetermined number of award points is attained, each player attempts to propel a golf ball into the simulated hole. Failure results in deductions from previously accumulated awards. That player having the highest score after deductions may be declared the winner.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims the benefit of the filing date under 35 USC 119(e) of the filing date of U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 62/448,312, filed Jan. 19, 2017.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to golf, and more particularly, to method of and apparatus for playing a putting game.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Golf games, which may substitute for actual play when the latter is not feasible, or which may be used to develop golf skills, have long been known. In particular, putting is one of the golf skills which many players seek to improve or enjoy. A golf game which utilizes or enhances putting skills represents a desirable advance in the art.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides a putting game using actual golf apparatus. The novel game uses a mat demarcated to create target zones into which a ball is to be struck. The game is played in two phases. In a first phase, a ball is struck into a relatively large target zone for accruing points. After sufficient points have been attained by repetitive putting into the target zone, a player is permitted to pursue a smaller target simulating a hole, to actually win the game. The initial target zone may take the form of more than one zone, with a greater point award for the more distant zone. It is possible to lose attained points by inaccurate putting. Therefore, the game combines the physical skills with typical game strategy thinking, in order for a player to prevail.

The present invention provides improved elements and arrangements thereof by apparatus for the purposes described which is inexpensive, dependable, and fully effective in accomplishing its intended purposes.

These and other objects of the present invention will become readily apparent upon further review of the following specification and drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Various objects, features, and attendant advantages of the present invention will become more fully appreciated as the same becomes better understood when considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which like reference characters designate the same or similar parts throughout the several views, and wherein:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a mat for playing the novel putting game;

FIG. 2 shows the mat of FIG. 1, but has legends removed from the mat for clarity of the view, and further shows a first scenario wherein, in play, a golf ball has been placed on the mat and struck;

FIGS. 3-8 are similar to FIG. 2, but show additional scenarios wherein the golf ball has been placed in play and struck.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring first to FIG. 1, according to at least one aspect of the invention, there is shown a mat 100 for use with the novel golf putting game. Golf clubs such as a putter (not shown) and golf balls (not shown) are used to play the game along with mat 100. Mat 100 serves as apparatus for at least one golf player (not shown) playing a putting game using a golf ball and a putting iron for striking and propelling the golf ball. The novel apparatus comprises mat 100, mat 100 visually demarcating a starting region 102 from which a golf ball is to be struck, a ball reception region 104 into which the golf ball is to be struck and in which the ball is to remain, a penalty area 106 between starting region 102 and ball reception region 104. Penalty area 106 is intended to apply a scoring penalty for balls propelled from starting region 102 towards ball reception region 104, wherein propelled balls fail to reach ball reception region 104 and come to rest within the penalty area 106. Mat 100 is also visually demarcated into a target 108 on penalty area 106 between starting region 102 and ball reception region 104. Starting region 102 may be smaller in area than penalty area 106. Target 108 is smaller in area than starting region 102.

It will be seen from FIG. 1 that mat 100 may bear indicia related to scoring. Indicia 110 indicates a relatively great numerical value, while indicia 112 indicates a relatively smaller numerical value. Indicia 110 and 112 represent point awards to be awarded upon a player propelling a golf ball onto ball reception region 104 from starting region 102.

In one implementation of the invention (that depicted in FIGS. 1-8), mat 100 is bilaterally symmetrical about target 108, and the starting regions, the ball reception regions, and penalty area 106 are arrayed linearly.

Target 108 represents a hole which would be present in an actual golf course. Bilateral symmetry of mat 100 better accommodates two players, one of whom may be stationed at one end 114 of mat 100, while the other player may be stationed at opposed end 116 of mat 100. Therefore, it will be understood that ball reception region 104 serves as a starting region for one player. Similarly, starting region 102 serves as a ball reception region for the same player.

A starting region (e.g., starting region 102) for a first one of the two competing players serves as the ball reception region of a second one of the two competing players. The starting region for the second one of the two competing players (seen in FIG. 1 as ball reception region 104) serves as the ball reception region of the first one of the two competing players.

Labeling of starting region 102 and ball reception region 104 is done for semantic reasons, so that play of the game can be described from the standpoint of only one player. It will be understood that corresponding rules and situations exist for the other player, but are to be applied with respective directions of play for the two opposed players in mind

In summary, starting region 102 is one of two different starting regions, and ball reception region 104 is one of two different ball reception regions, thereby accommodating two competing players who play by propelling the golf ball in opposed directions.

In the implementation of the invention of FIGS. 1-8, starting region 102 is visually subdivided into a proximal starting region 118 bearing indicia 112 and a distal starting region 120 bearing indicia 110. Of course, ball reception region 104 is visually subdivided into a first ball reception section 122 corresponding to a first attainable score and a second ball reception section 124 corresponding to a second attainable score different from the first attainable score.

These subdivisions allow for relatively greater and lesser difficulty during initial putting, and entail respectively greater and lesser point awards. Indicia 110 and 112 indicate point awards of 500 and 100 points, respectively.

Obviously, not every putt will result in a ball coming to rest in ball reception region 104. Putts that fall short, e.g., landing in penalty area 106, incur penalties against positive point awards. Penalty area 106 is visually subdivided into a proximal penalty area 130 relatively close to target 108 and two distal penalty areas 132 surrounding proximal penalty area 130. This enables a first penalty to be applied to a player propelling a golf ball into proximal penalty area 130 and a second penalty to be applied to a player propelling a golf ball into one of the two distal penalty areas 132. Proximal and distal penalty areas 130, 132 include indicia 126 and 128, respectively indicating minus 100 and minus 50.

The invention may be regarded as a method of playing a putting game using mat 100 visually demarcating a proximal penalty area 130 in a center of mat 100, a target 108 in proximal penalty area 130, a first distal penalty area 132 and a second distal penalty area 132, wherein first distal penalty area 132 and second distal penalty area 132 collectively sandwich first distal penalty area 130 therebetween., and a first ball reception region 104 and a second ball reception region (seen as starting region 102), wherein first ball reception region 104 and the second ball reception region collectively sandwich first distal penalty area 132, proximal penalty area 130, target 108, and the second distal penalty area 132 therebetween. First ball reception region 104 of a first player serves as a starting area for a second player, and the second ball reception region (seen as starting region 102) of the second player serves as a starting area for the first player. The method may comprise, in a first phase of the putting game, having the first player place a golf ball in the starting area for the first player and using a putter, propel the golf ball towards the first ball reception area (seen as ball reception region 104 for that player using starting region 102), and awarding the first player a positive score upon propelling the golf ball into the first ball reception area (ball reception region 104).

Note that an element of strategy may be introduced into scoring. For example, a player who is not seriously behind may attempt to accrue more than the minimum number of points prior to undertaking the second phase of play. This may protect that player from potential penalties reducing his (her) total from a predetermined or mandated minimum cumulative score required to qualify the player for play in the second phase. Conversely, a player who is significantly behind may elect to accrue only the mandated minimum in order to keep pace with an opponent.

FIG. 2 shows one possible outcome in the first phase of play, wherein a ball has been struck from initial position 134 along trajectory 135 to final position 137 short of first or second ball reception sections 122, 124. In this example, if this has been the first shot by the player, or should the player's accrued award point total be zero, no penalty is incurred. Rather, the shot fails to result in an award of points. It may be reiterated here that in FIGS. 2-8, legends or indicia 110, 112, 126, and 128 have been omitted from FIGS. 2-8 for clarity of view.

In FIG. 3, the player has propelled a ball from initial position 134 along trajectory 139 to a final position 141 inside first ball reception section 122. This will result in 100 points being awarded to that player.

In FIG. 4, the player has propelled a ball from initial position 134 along trajectory 143 to a final position 145 inside second ball reception section 124. This will result in 500 points being awarded to that player.

The method may further comprise having the second player place a golf ball in the starting area for the second player (seen as ball reception region 104), and using a putter, propel the golf ball towards the second ball reception area (seen as starting region 102), and awarding the second player a positive score upon propelling the golf ball into the second ball reception area.

The method may comprise, in a second phase of the putting game, for each player, upon that player cumulatively attaining at least a predetermined score after plural successful attempts to propel their respective golf balls into respective ones of the first ball reception area (e.g., ball reception region 104) and the second ball reception area (e.g., starting region 102 for the second player), having the first player and the second player each attempt to propel a respective golf ball from their respective starting areas to target 108. This is indicated for one player in FIG. 8, wherein the ball has been struck from initial position 134 along trajectory 148 to final position 150 inside target 108.

This action may end the game. In various implementations of the game, victory may be awarded to that player with the greatest point total, or alternatively, to that player who first landed a ball in target 108 in the second phase of play.

In one implementation of the game, the method may further comprise, in the first phase, having a player successively and alternatively from opposite directions, propel individually a plurality of balls towards an associated ball reception area during that player's turn. For example, a player on the opposite side of said mat may be given three balls and in any one turn, propel, from each player's respective starting region, an individual ball of the three balls towards the player's respective ball reception area. The balls may be of two different colors to distinguish between balls of players.

In an implementation of the game, the method may further comprise awarding a first scoring bonus to any player in the first phase who drives all of his (her) plurality of balls into a proximal associated ball reception area (i.e., first ball reception section 122, or for the second player, proximal starting region 118). Similarly, the method may further comprise awarding a second scoring bonus to any player in the first phase who drives at least one of his (her) plurality of balls into the proximal associated ball reception area and at least one other of his (her) plurality of balls into a distal associated ball reception area. Alternatively stated, should for example the player whose starting position is distal starting region 120 propel one ball into first ball reception section 122 and two balls into second ball reception section 124, a bonus of 400 points may be added to the 100 points scored by the first ball and the 1,000 points scored for the second and third balls.

In a similar vein, the method may further comprise awarding a third scoring bonus to any player in the first phase who drives all of his (her) plurality of balls into the distal associated ball reception area. In this example, each ball must score 500 points, plus a 500 point bonus for landing all three balls in second ball reception section 124, for a total of 2,000 points.

The method may further comprise, should any player propel a ball off mat 100, having the propelled ball removed from play and rendered ineligible for any point award during a round in which the ball went off mat 100.

The method may further comprise, in the second phase, having a propelled ball stop within proximal penalty area 130 causes the player who propelled the ball to incur a first deduction from the positive score. This is shown in FIG. 6, wherein the ball has been struck from an initial position 134 along a trajectory 136 to a final position 138.

The method may further comprise, in the second phase, having a propelled ball stop within one of distal penalty areas 132 causes the player who propelled the ball to incur a second deduction from the positive score, as seen in FIG. 5. In this context, the deduction is “second” not in the sense of an additional deduction, but rather in the sense of a deduction different from the prior example of FIG. 6. Generally, unless otherwise indicated, the terms “first”, “second”, etc., are used herein merely as labels, and are not intended to impose ordinal, positional, or hierarchical requirements on the items to which these terms refer. Moreover, reference to, e.g., a “second” item does not either require or preclude the existence of, e.g., a “first” or lower-numbered item, and/or, e.g., a “third” or higher-numbered item.

In the example of FIG. 5, the ball has been struck from initial position 134 along trajectory 140 to a final position 142 within distal penalty area 132. Because the shot from the example of FIG. 5 is farther from target 108, it is logical that the penalty of 100 points is greater than the penalty of 50 points incurred in the example of FIG. 6. FIG. 7 shows a situation analogous to the situation of FIG. 5, but wherein the ball has been propelled from initial position 134 along trajectory 144 to a final position 146.

The method may further comprise, in the first phase, should a player propel a golf ball into another one of his golf balls, removing the struck ball from play and rendering the struck ball ineligible for scoring during that round when the ball was struck.

The method may further comprise, in the first phase, should a player propel a golf ball onto a character of indicia (e.g., indicia 110 or 112) on mat 100, awarding that player an additional score.

It will be appreciated that when opposing players alternate taking their respective turns, a number of golf balls may occupy mat 100 at the same time. It is possible that a golf ball of one player may strike that of an opponent, or one of his (her) own. Therefore, the method may further comprise, in the first phase, should a player propel a golf ball into a golf ball of an opponent, awarding an additional score to the opponent. By contrast, in the second phase of play, there is no penalty for striking the ball of an opponent.

The method may further comprise, in the second phase, should a player propel a golf ball off mat 100, removing that ball from play and rendering that ball ineligible for scoring during that round when the ball was propelled off mat 100. Additionally, should the player propelling the golf ball off mat 100 have previously struck balls from the same round of play on mat 100, then in an implementation of the method, all of those balls are removed from play and their associated point awards are lost. However, if the player in this situation has no accrued points, then no point penalty will be assessed. Point penalties are assessed only against totals of accrued points.

The method may further comprise, should a player strike with a golf club a ball of an opponent, awarding an additional score to the opponent and affording the opponent an additional opportunity to put the struck ball into the starting area and propelling the ball onto mat 100.

One specific embodiment of a game according to the method is set forth hereafter. In this specific embodiment, the object is to score 1,500 points or more in the first phase, and in the second phase, to land a golf ball in target 108 representing a hole. The first player to land his (her golf ball in target 108, having a total of at least 1,500 points, wins the game.

In a two-player game, each player receives three golf balls and alternates taking turns. In a turn, a ball is placed behind that player's opponent's 500 point line (i.e., within distal starting region 120, shown in FIG. 1), and then propelling the ball across mat 100. Any specific location within distal starting region 120 may be selected. Rounds are determined by using each of the three balls. Each player propels a ball, after which the opponent propels a ball so as to accrue points. Accrued points carry over to the next round, and cannot be lost or deducted from in subsequent rounds. In each subsequent round, the first and second players to play switch these roles.

Once a player attains at least 1,500 points, there arises risk of losing points. A ball of one color, such as yellow, is first to play. An opponent's ball, of a different color, such as white, is next to play. Colored balls are switched for each round, so that one color always goes first regardless of which opponent uses balls of the one color.

In each round, each player has three opportunities to score points. For example, 500 points are scored by a player starting from distal starting region 120 landing a ball within a respectively marked 500 or 100 point ball reception section 124 or 122. Points are deducted from accrued totals should a ball come to rest in proximal or distal penalty areas 130, 132. In the example of FIG. 1, 50 or 100 points are deducted. This deduction, if incurred, applies to points accrued only from that one round. If no points have been scored, then there is no effective point penalty from occupying proximal or distal penalty areas 130, 132.

Should a propelled ball exit mat 100, that ball is a “dead” ball, and neither gains or loses points. Should a propelled ball strike another of the propelling player's balls, then all propelled balls from that round are removed from play and neither gain nor lose points during that round.

Bonus points above and beyond point awards from occupying first or second ball reception sections 122, 124 may be earned in various ways. If in one round all three balls occupy second ball reception section 124, then an extra 500 points are awarded. Similarly, if in one round all three balls occupy first ball reception section 122, then an extra 300 points are awarded. If in one round all three balls occupy first and second ball reception sections 122, 124, then an extra 400 points are awarded. I a ball comes to land entirely within the zeroes of the 100 and 500 point legends on mat 100, an additional 100 point bonus is awarded.

A ball landing on the line demarcating first ball reception section 122 from distal penalty area 132 is regarded as occupying first ball reception section 122, for a positive award of 100 points. If a ball lands on the line demarcating first ball reception section 122 from second ball reception section 124, then the award is 100 points, that of first ball reception section 122. If a ball comes to land on the line demarcating proximal penalty area 130 from distal penalty area 132, then the penalty is 50 points, that of proximal penalty area 130.

When at least 1,500 points have been accrued, a player has the option to move a ball into distal starting region 120, and to propel a ball towards target 108 to win the game.

Should a ball propelled towards target 108 in the second phase of play not be entirely within target 108, it will be deemed not to have occupied the target, and remains for subsequent play. No penalty is assessed. Balls near target 108 may be knocked into an occupying position if struck by another ball. Similarly, a ball just beyond target 108 may serve as a barrier preventing a subsequently propelled ball from leaving occupany of target 108.

A ball propelled into an opponent's ball during the first phase of play results in an award of 200 points for the struck player. In the second phase of play, there is no penalty. Although there is no penalty in the second phase of play for striking one's own ball, should the propelled ball exit mat 100, the ball is removed from play, incurring neither award nor penalty.

Should a swung golf club contact an opponent's ball, then the player having the struck ball is awarded 500 points, and is also awarded an opportunity to hit that ball again.

For playing with four opponents, each player receives two balls (per round), and still alternate. The four total balls for each team determine a round. Play starts from the same distal starting region 120 for each player of a two-player team.

If both teammates of any one team score 500 points in the first phase of play, then a bonus of 1,000 points is awarded to that team.

The present invention is susceptible to modifications and variations which may be introduced thereto without departing from the inventive concepts. For example, sizes and proportions of the various regions, sections, and areas of mat 100 may be varied. Additional or fewer regions, sections, and areas may be provided. Point awards and deductions may be varied from those described herein. Mat 100 may be configured so that players play from the same side, rather than in opposed directions as described herein. The novel game may be played by teams of plural players rather than by just one player on each of the opposing teams.

While the present invention has been described in connection with what is considered the most practical and preferred embodiment, it is to be understood that the present invention is not to be limited to the disclosed arrangements, but is intended to cover various arrangements which are included within the spirit and scope of the broadest possible interpretation of the appended claims so as to encompass all modifications and equivalent arrangements which are possible. 

I claim:
 1. Apparatus for at least one golf player playing a putting game using a golf ball and a putting iron for striking and propelling the golf ball, the apparatus comprising a mat visually demarcating: a starting region from which a golf ball is to be struck; a ball reception region into which the golf ball is to be struck and in which the ball is to remain; a penalty area between the starting region and the ball reception region, the penalty area intended to apply a scoring penalty for balls propelled from the starting region towards the ball reception region, wherein propelled balls fail to reach the ball reception region and come to rest within the penalty area; and a target on the penalty area between the starting region and the ball reception region, wherein the starting region is smaller in area than the penalty area, and the target is smaller in area than the starting region.
 2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the starting region is one of two different starting regions, the ball reception region is one of two different ball reception regions, thereby accommodating two competing players who play by propelling the golf ball in opposed directions.
 3. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein a starting region for a first one of the two competing players serves as the ball reception region of a second one of the two competing players, and the starting region for the second one of the two competing players serves as the ball reception region of the first one of the two competing players.
 4. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the mat is bilaterally symmetrical about the target, and the starting regions, the ball reception regions, and the penalty area are arrayed linearly.
 5. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the ball reception region is visually subdivided into a first ball reception section corresponding to a first attainable score and a second ball reception section corresponding to a second attainable score different from the first attainable score.
 6. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein each said penalty area is visually subdivided into a proximal penalty area relatively close to the target and two distal penalty areas surrounding the proximal penalty area, thereby enabling a first penalty to be applied to a player propelling a golf ball into the proximal penalty area and a second penalty to be applied to a player propelling a golf ball into one of the two distal penalty areas.
 7. A method of playing a putting game using a mat visually demarcating a proximal penalty area in a center of the mat, a target in the proximal penalty area, a first distal penalty area and a second distal penalty area, wherein the first distal penalty area and the second distal penalty area collectively sandwich the first distal penalty area therebetween, and a first ball reception region and a second ball reception region, wherein the first ball reception region and the second ball reception region collectively sandwich the first distal penalty area, the proximal penalty area, the target, and the second distal penalty area therebetween, and the first ball reception region of a first player serves as a starting area for a second player, and the second ball reception region of the second player serves as a starting area for the first player, the method comprising: in a first phase of the putting game, having the first player place a golf ball in the starting area for the first player and using a putter, propel the golf ball towards the first ball reception area; awarding the first player a positive score upon propelling the golf ball into the first ball reception area; having the second player place a golf ball in the starting area for the second player and using a putter, propel the golf ball towards the second ball reception area; awarding the second player a positive score upon propelling the golf ball into the second ball reception area; and in a second phase of the putting game, for each player, upon a player cumulatively attaining at least a minimum predetermined score in said first phase, the player may attempt to propel a respective golf ball from his (her) respective starting area to the target.
 8. The method of claim 7, further comprising, in the first phase, having each player successively propel a plurality of balls towards an associated ball reception area during that player's turn.
 9. The method of claim 8, further comprising awarding a scoring bonus to any player in the first phase who drives all of his (her) plurality of balls into a proximal associated ball reception area.
 10. The method of claim 8, further comprising awarding a scoring bonus to any player in the first phase who drives at least one of his (her) plurality of balls into the proximal associated ball reception area and at least one other of his (her) plurality of balls into a distal associated ball reception area.
 11. The method of claim 8, further comprising awarding a scoring bonus to any player in the first phase who drives all of his (her) plurality of balls into the distal associated ball reception area.
 12. The method of claim 8, wherein should any player propel a ball off the mat, having the propelled ball removed from play and rendered ineligible for any point award during a round in which the ball went off the mat.
 13. The method of claim 7, further comprising, in the second phase, having a propelled ball stop within the proximal penalty area causes the player who propelled the ball to incur a deduction from the positive score.
 14. The method of claim 7, further comprising, in the second phase, having a propelled ball stop within one of said distal penalty areas causes the player who propelled the ball to incur a deduction from the positive score.
 15. The method of claim 7, further comprising, in the first phase, should a player propel a golf ball into another one of his golf balls, removing the struck ball from play and rendering the struck ball ineligible for scoring during that round when the ball was struck.
 16. The method of claim 7, further comprising, in the first phase, should a player propel a golf ball onto a character of indicia on the mat, awarding that player an additional score.
 17. The method of claim 7, further comprising, in the first phase, should a player propel a golf ball into a golf ball of an opponent, awarding an additional score to the opponent.
 18. The method of claim 7, further comprising, in the second phase, should a player propel a golf ball off the mat, removing that ball from play and rendering that ball ineligible for scoring during that round when the ball was propelled off the mat.
 19. The method of claim 7, further comprising, should a player strike with a golf club a ball of an opponent, awarding an additional score to the opponent and affording the opponent an additional opportunity to put the struck ball into the starting area and propelling the ball onto the mat.
 20. The method of claim 7, further comprising, in the second phase, should a player propel a golf ball into a golf ball of an opponent, applying no penalty to the player propelling the golf ball. 